Do Any Of You Have a Cheat Day?

StaceyKeller71

Just wondering how many dieters out there schedule a regular "cheat" day. There are programs out there that actually suggest it - Body for Life for example. Even Weight Watchers gives you "extra points" that could very well be used towards a cheat day. On top of that, I have heard that the Biggest Loser also gives contestants a cheat day once a week.

In the past, when dieting, I have given myself a cheat meal but eventually, that lead to a cheat day, and then a cheat weekend. I need to figure out how to bring balance to my way of eating. Because I need to kick start my weight loss, I am going to avoid cheat meals for right now. However, I believe that if I completely eliminate foods from my life, I will eventually cave and instead of eating one slice of cake, I'll eat the whole thing.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this!

Qarol

I have cheat days...but not once a week. More like once or twice a month. It's planned, on the calendar. I look forward to it.

killagb

I went over yesterday by oh...1000 calories. It was lovely.

AureliaCotta

Saturdays is my weigh-in day, and after weigh-in is a kind of cheat day. I'll try to eat right for most of my meals but overall I'm more lax. I also give myself permission to indulge at one meal and not feel guilty. I will track what I eat at that meal though because I should still be accountable...but I just ignore it if the calories remaining is in red

In the past, I used to have a totally-open cheat day: I would eat whatever I wanted the entire day. It helped ease the monotony but I found that getting back in the saddle the next day was rather hard. The way I do it now, it's easier to get back in to a healthier eating routine on Sunday.

My birthday, however, is a 100% cheat day. I will be as decadent as I want to be!

scottbe07

I plan mine about twice a month. I always make sure they are planned so I don't go overboard.

TaraFTMVA

I dont really plan it. I try to make sure I behave during the week though bc on the weekends we are always out and busy, so I tend to eat a little more junk. I am getting better about not doing that though and really watching myself more and more on the weekends. I figure if you know there is a day during the week when you tend to eat/use more claories I would say just behave extra on the other days so you can enjoy yourself, guilt free on your bad/over calorie day . Cant deprive yourself completely or you will binge eventually. So I eat my bad stuff I love in moderation

Anweena

My weekends are mine. I drink beer, and eat out....but do try and eat well for the most part. I find the longer I eat well, the less I actually crave bad stuff, so my cheat days aren't too awful. During the week I am pretty strict and I have been losing about 2 lbs a week. So- it works for me to have TWO days to not worry about calories too much.... It also keeps me sane, not 'letting' myself eat stuff I like once in a while would drive me nuts...mental health is important too.

Jenny1916

I know exactly how you feel, and have experienced all of the above! What I have learned is that you should never really cut any type of food completely. I let myself have one night a week where i have a sweet treat, since thats my weakness. If your craving that piece of cake, cookies or a cheeseburger, give your body what its craving but what i do is take a mental note of how many calories i just indulged on and make an extra effort to try and burn it off on my next workout. It has worked well for me so far. Hope this helps!

fabulousfebe

I choose to use "treat day" instead of "cheat day"...and yes I treat myself but in smaller portions--then back on track - Sunday is my treat meal... :drinker:

fteale

No. I can't let myself let go like that.

andiechick

I don't have a cheat day as such, but like periguine, i relax a little after my weigh in, altho i try n ensure i don't go overboard, maybe just having the odd little extra. I used to be like you, where i would have a full day which would turn into a weekend, then before you know it you're starting afresh from the next week, but i'm trying hard to break that cycle now and lose the extra pounds once and for all ;0)

AureliaCotta

However, I believe that if I completely eliminate foods from my life, I will eventually cave and instead of eating one slice of cake, I'll eat the whole thing.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this!

I agree. I find I do better if I let myself have treats in moderation. It eases the cravings. However, I do have some trigger foods that I find I have to totally cut out because I can't just eat a little of them--I will gorge.

TriciaAnn81

I do have a cheat day, only one day a week (usually a weekend day). It has been good for me, it keeps me sane! I have still successfully lost 10 pounds in 1 month. I don't think a little "cheat day" once in awhile does any harm.

k2quiere

I just eat what I want when I want it, and I log it. Normally I'm under calories and if not, I head to the gym. My belief is that I can't cheat on life.

taso42

A so-called "cheat day" won't hurt you. If your cheat day turns into you forgetting all about your goals and nutrition for a whole week, then yes it will hurt you But then that's no longer a "cheat day"; that's falling off the wagon.

Pepper2185

I eat whatever I want on the weekend.

I enjoy eating healthy now, and having the freedom to eat what I want makes me feel better mentally. And to be honest, I don't want to go on a crazy face-stuffing binge.

Personally, eating 1200 calories of salad every friggin day - just so I can "treat" myself to a cupcake once a month seems bizarre.

PixelTreason

Every Saturday. It usually ends up being more of a "cheat meal" and I try to keep it within reason but I don't get as strict about the rest of the day, either.
I've kept the "cheat day" since I started and I still lost 40 pounds so I think it's totally do-able.

226Muriel

I personally am on a program where I plan my meals (using MFP) and report to another person daily. Being an active person, weekly luncheons and special events are a given. I plan my menu to suit the menu being served and balance the rest of the day to try to continually stay on program. I personally cannot have a cheat day...As you said, a cheat meal = cheat day = cheat weekend.
"ONE DAY AT A TIME".

stimpackus

I do have cheat days, and it is usually one day between Fridays and Sundays. I just have to pick which one it might be. Saying that, I don't "always" allocate one day each week to having something calorie free.

After being on calorie control for 8 months my body started to recognise when I was going to "let go" and eat whatever I wanted. So every now and then I would have to skip my calorie free day and leave it until the next weekend before I gave myself a treat. The longer I went without, and it pushed my weight loss a bit further - And even when the calorie free days were introduced again.

I will admit at times I find it hard. Sometimes a cheat day can turn into a whole cheat weekend if I'm not careful. I get tired easy because of rotating rosters in the workplace, and not having to fuss over calorie control or food restrictions over the wkends is tedious. So I make sure now to log in my foods in advance here on MFP beforehand.

mrdee555

every sunday

StaceyKeller71

I know exactly how you feel, and have experienced all of the above! What I have learned is that you should never really cut any type of food completely. I let myself have one night a week where i have a sweet treat, since thats my weakness. If your craving that piece of cake, cookies or a cheeseburger, give your body what its craving but what i do is take a mental note of how many calories i just indulged on and make an extra effort to try and burn it off on my next workout. It has worked well for me so far. Hope this helps!

I love this! Another poster posted that she logs what she ate because she still needs to be accountable. I think that is part of my problem. I want to be in denial about how many calories I consume on a cheat day. I can't stand to go into the red! lol I need to learn to be okay with that. It's denial that got me where I was when I started this whole thing. I think the most important thing in succeeding is being honest with ourseleves about what we are putting into our bodies be it go or bad.

Thanks for all the responses!

StaceyKeller71

I choose to use "treat day" instead of "cheat day"...and yes I treat myself but in smaller portions--then back on track - Sunday is my treat meal... :drinker:

I love the idea of calling it "treat day" instead of cheat day. I think I'll adapt that!

tonilizzy88

mine is every sunday after weighing in the morning ill do good most of the day but i will treat myself to chocolate or dessert and maybe a glass of wine i look forward to sundays i also know that mondays its time to get back to it works for me

MelissaGraham7

I don't need "cheat" days because I don't restrict myself from any particular food or food group. On weekends, I may eat out or splurge but I start each day with an 8-10 mile walk/run to take up the extra calories. I don't like the term cheating. I don't like the term dieting. I've been at this for 2 years and for me it is a lifestyle change, so I don't need to cheat at living. I just make sure I offset any extra calories I may consume with extra activity!

havalinaaa

On the weekends I'm more lax about staying under my 500 calorie deficit, but I never go over my maintenance. Usually I wind up with a 300 calorie deficit instead of a 500, some people would think of this as zig-zagging I suppose. I weigh in on Mondays and always see a drop even after my slightly higher calorie weekend.

And about once a month I just don't log for a day. I still make healthy choices on those days, I just don't sweat the #'s. If I want a 'cheat' food, I'd rather work it into my daily allowance than make it blow my day. Or take a longer walk with the dog to have some exercise calories to eat.

I do intend to eat whatever the hell I want on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. Those are cheat days I suppose, but more like enjoying what life has to offer days. I haven't decided if I'll try to log them or not, though probably not.

havalinaaa

I don't need "cheat" days because I don't restrict myself from any particular food or food group. On weekends, I may eat out or splurge but I start each day with an 8-10 mile walk/run to take up the extra calories. I don't like the term cheating. I don't like the term dieting. I've been at this for 2 years and for me it is a lifestyle change, so I don't need to cheat at living. I just make sure I offset any extra calories I may consume with extra activity!

^^^This is excellent, imo^^^

JamieRomig

I try not to have a cheat day, but if I'm craving something fierce, I will give it to myself, in smaller portions. Like right now, I'm indulging in a Vanilla Latte from Biggby's, but with skim milk instead of regular. I try to maintain good eating throughout the week, and on weekends, if I have been craving something SOOOO much, I will give it to myself. I'd rather be happy and lose weight slower, than miserable and skinny. However, I do keep track of it on my counter. I don't want to pretend like it never happened. That also helps me make better decisions during the week, when I'm craving Taco Bell, I can look back and say, "No, you had Panera Bread over the weekend, maybe later."

TavistockToad

Just wondering how many dieters out there schedule a regular "cheat" day. There are programs out there that actually suggest it - Body for Life for example. Even Weight Watchers gives you "extra points" that could very well be used towards a cheat day. On top of that, I have heard that the Biggest Loser also gives contestants a cheat day once a week.

In the past, when dieting, I have given myself a cheat meal but eventually, that lead to a cheat day, and then a cheat weekend. I need to figure out how to bring balance to my way of eating. Because I need to kick start my weight loss, I am going to avoid cheat meals for right now. However, I believe that if I completely eliminate foods from my life, I will eventually cave and instead of eating one slice of cake, I'll eat the whole thing.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this!

i had a 'treat' meal usually once per week when i was losing weight, and now i am maintaining i just go for an 'everything in moderation' approach and as long as i stick to my calories i eat what i like.

stubbysticks

I don't "cheat" because that implies there's something wrong with it. I do, however, have a Spike Day every weekend where I intentionally eat whatever I want at a minimum of 3600 calories (oh yeah!). It is glorious. I limit it to 24 hours, & when it's over, it's over. It's an ingenious way to lose weight in my opinion...I can't wait forever to eat my Ben & Jerry's, but I can wait 6 days, & that's the longest I have to wait to eat anything I want.

tuffytuffy1

I had been avoiding cheat days most of the time, because frankly I'm hardly losing any weight even not cheating. But I was pleasantly suprised this morning when I woke up .5 pounds lighter than yesterday, and for dinner I had gone to a bar and had beer, tons of wings, and nachos. Yum!

woou

only when i go out with my extended family which is just a handful of times (4-5 days) throughout the year. i've learned to make healthy versions of the foods i like and eat them whenever i want. also, eating small portions when friends and family order in a pizza or something helps as well.